A key MWDI Best Practice is to insure that predator guard
protection is excellent. PVC sleeves and flashing wrap can work
but most programs that use PVC sleeves do not enclose the top or
bottom and snakes are able to move inside them easily. Raccoons
can climb them as well although one program participant has
success with PVC sleeves by adding strips of Nixalite. MWDI has
not had time to try this and evaluate it more fully.

Suitable for wood duck and bluebird nest protection. The Maryland
Waterfowlers Association (MDWFA) is now handling the sale of predator guards
to privately sponsored wood duck and bluebird nesting programs. The guards
are 26 gauge galvanized metal, 36” diameter, cone style w/ four flaps
designed to fit around a 4x4 pole or similarly shaped sections.

We know from field experience that 4" sleeves do not deter
raccoons and a 6" sleeve will not stop the larger ones from
climbing up. At a
minimum, we ask program managers to seal the top
gap of any PVC sleeve and replace all 4" tubes. For those whose
sleeve guards are too low or short, raccoons simply use them as
step ladders to step on or pull themselves up.

There are several other type of guards but the cone shaped 3 foot
diameter guard is considered to be a pragmatic, cost effective
solution if the guard is adhered tightly to the pole with no gaps
and surrounding vegetation is kept away.

Maryland Correctional Institute
Inmates in Hagerstown manufactured and delivered 300
predator guards for public lands, which will last through the
2009 nesting season. A huge MWDI thank you goes out to all who
helped make this happen - the inmates (without whose work this
would not have been possible), MD DNR's Bill Harvey, who helped
set-up this program, and John McKay, the metal shop manager.